Environment

A dedication to creating solutions that help protect the world’s environment is not just part of IBM’s smarter planet agenda; it has been one of the guiding principles of our company for nearly four decades.

IBM’s longstanding commitment to environmental protection was first formalised as a corporate policy in 1971. From how we run our operations to the products and solutions we provide to our clients, we are committed to leadership across environmental areas ranging from energy efficiency and water conservation to pollution prevention and product stewardship.

We are committed to environmental leadership in all of our business activities, from our operations to the way we design our products and use technology. Our efforts in this regard reduce our costs, help create a healthy workplace for our employees and clients, and help to protect the environment that nurtures us all.

To identify and effectively manage the potential environmental impact of our operations, IBM established and has maintained a worldwide Environmental Management System (EMS) since the late 70’s. The EMS is integral in our efforts to protect the environment and drive energy efficiency. It forms a crucial foundation of our broader commitment to corporate citizenship.

The IBM worldwide Environmental Management System is implemented in Australia and New Zealand. Local environmental programs cover areas such as: chemical and waste minimisation and management; energy efficiency and conservation; environmental evaluation of suppliers; product stewardship and end-of-life management; incident prevention, preparedness, response and reporting; and environmental due diligence for real estate transactions. IBM has introduced and integrated voluntary environmental goals and targets supported by the business into facility operations and product development processes to further drive continual environmental improvement. Governance and controls posture are key elements of these processes.